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In the Daoist tradition, cultivation practices centered around the Eight Extraordinary Meridians provide one of the pathways toward enlightenment or immortality. The ancestral founder master of QuanZhenNanZong (the Southern Complete Reality School), Zhang Ziyang, stated that those who are able to open the Eight Extraordinary Meridians will obtain the Dao. I recommend David Twicken s Eight Extraordinary Channels to Chinese medicine and qi gong practitioners interested in working with the physical and spiritual layers through these extraordinary meridians. Master Zhongxian Wu, lifelong Daoist practitioner and author of eleven books on Chinese wisdom traditions Eight Extraordinary Channels is an insightful and eminently practical presentation of the core meridians in the human body that hold most of life s potential. It covers the Eight Channels in theory, clinical application, and Daoist self-cultivation. Clear and systematic, the book is a potent resource for anyone involved in Chinese medicine. Livia Kohn, Ph.D., Professor Emerita of Religion and East Asian Studies, Boston University Close to turning of the Dao, the Eight Extraordinary Channels correlate to eight directions of space. David Twicken s clear introduction to these channels and their Nei Dan applications allows the reader a direct alchemical and meditative experience. Such a view is essential to best practices in qi gong, herbs and acupuncture. A great contribution! William Morris, Ph.D., author of Li Shi Zhen Pulse Studies: An Illustrated Guide Twicken illuminates the missing link between Chinese medicine and Taoist spiritual practice, making it essential reading for both healers and adepts. His book is far superior to existing Eight Extra Vessel literature with its wealth of historical detail and rare clinical protocols that penetrate deep ancestral and constitutional issues. In my 35 years experience, any healer who opens their Eight Extra Channels will quickly improve their clinical success rate. More important, they will open wide the Eight Big Rivers of prenatal Jing. Also known as Eight Psychic Channels, in Taoist internal alchemy they are linked together to open the Microcosmic Orbit the key to whole body enlightenment and long life. Michael Winn, founder www.healingtaousa.com and co-writer with Mantak Chia of seven books on Nei Dan Gong
Eight Extraordinary Channels Qi Jing Ba Mai
by the same author I Ching Acupuncture The Balance Method Clinical Applications of the Ba Gua and I Ching ISBN 978 1 84819 074 0 eisbn 978 0 85701 064 3 of related interest Daoist Nei Gong The Philosophical Art of Change Damo Mitchell Foreword by Dr Cindy Engel ISBN 978 1 84819 065 8 eisbn 978 0 85701 033 9 Heavenly Streams Meridian Theory in Nei Gong Damo Mitchell Foreword by Robert Aspell ISBN 978 1 84819 116 7 eisbn 978 0 85701 101 5 The Great Intent Acupuncture Odes, Songs and Rhymes Richard Bertschinger ISBN 978 1 84819 132 7 eisbn 978 0 85701 111 4 Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches TianGan DiZhi The Keys to the Sublime Master Zhongxian Wu and Dr Karin Taylor Wu ISBN 978 1 84819 151 8 Card Set ISBN 978 1 84819 150 1
Eight Extraordinary Channels Qi Jing Ba Mai A Handbook for Clinical Practice and Nei Dan Inner Meditation Dr. David Twicken DOM, L.Ac. LONDON AND PHILADELPHIA
Figures 5.1, 6.1, 7.1, 9.1, 10.1, 12.1, 13.1, 14.1, 21.2, 22.1, 22.2 reproduced with kind permission from Dr. Jerry Alan Johnson. Figures 20.2, 21.1, 21.3, 23.1, 24.1, 26.2 reproduced with kind permission from Mantak Chia. First published in 2013 by Singing Dragon an imprint of Jessica Kingsley Publishers 116 Pentonville Road London N1 9JB, UK and 400 Market Street, Suite 400 Philadelphia, PA 19106, USA www.singingdragon.com Copyright David Twicken 2013 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any material form (including photocopying or Britain storing it in any medium by electronic means and whether or not transiently or incidentally to some other use of this publication) without the written permission of the copyright owner except in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 or under the terms of a licence issued by the Copyright Licensing Agency Ltd, Saffron House, 6 10 Kirby Street, London EC1N 8TS. Applications for the copyright owner s written permission to reproduce any part of this publication should be addressed to the publisher. Warning: The doing of an unauthorised act in relation to a copyright work may result in both a civil claim for damages and criminal prosecution. Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data Twicken, David. Eight extraordinary channels : qi jing ba mai : a handbook for clinical practice and nei dan inner meditation / Dr. David Twicken DOM, LAC. pages cm Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978-1-84819-148-8 (alk. paper) 1. Acupuncture points. 2. Medicine, Chinese--Philosophy. 3. Meditation. I. Title. II. Title: Qi jing ba mai. RM184.5.T95 2013 615.8 222--dc23 2013012243 British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library ISBN 978 1 84819 148 8 eisbn 978 0 85701 137 4 Printed and bound in Great
Contents Disclaimer............................ 10 Acknowledgments........................ 11 Preface.............................. 13 Qi Jing Ba Mai: Eight Extraordinary Channels........ 15 The Classics and the Eight Extraordinary Channels..... 17 Chinese Dynasties........................ 21 Introduction.................... 23 PART I THE EIGHT EXTRAORDINARY CHANNELS IN CLINICAL PRACTICE Chapter 1 The Acupuncture Channel System. 29 Chapter 2 Three-Layer Theory.......... 31 Chapter 3 The Three Ancestries......... 35 Chapter 4 Introduction to the Eight Extraordinary Channels............ 41 Chapter 5 The Chong Channel.......... 45 Chapter 6 The Ren Channel............ 63 Chapter 7 The Du Channel............ 81
Chapter 8 The Two Wei Channels........ 97 Chapter 9 The Yang Wei Channel........101 Chapter 10 The Yin Wei Channel.........113 Chapter 11 The Two Qiao Channels.......119 Chapter 12 The Yang Qiao Channel.......123 Chapter 13 The Yin Qiao Channel........131 Chapter 14 The Dai Channel...........137 Chapter 15 Clinical Applications of the Eight Extraordinary Channels........143 Chapter 16 Treatment Methods.........147 Chapter 17 Needling Methods..........153 Chapter 18 Case Studies..............157 Chapter 19 The Points and Names of the Eight Extraordinary Channels........165 PART II THE EIGHT EXTRAORDINARY CHANNELS IN NEI DAN MEDITATION Chapter 20 The Nei Jing Tu............179
Chapter 21 Inner Meditation on the Ren and Du Channels: The Heavenly Orbit...191 Chapter 22 Inner Meditation on the Wei and Qiao Channels...............203 Chapter 23 Inner Meditation on the Dai Channel...................207 Chapter 24 Inner Meditation on the Chong Channel.................211 Chapter 25 Inner Meditation on the Macrocosmic Orbit...............215 Chapter 26 A Guide to the Inner Landscape Map..................217 Afterword........................... 229 Bibliography.......................... 231
Disclaimer The information in this book is based on the author s knowledge and personal experience. It is presented for educational purposes to assist the reader in expanding his or her knowledge of Chinese philosophy and medicine. The techniques and practices are to be used at the reader s own discretion and liability. The author is not responsible in any manner whatsoever for any physical injury that may occur as a result of following instructions in this book. 10
Chapter 4 Introduction to the Eight Extraordinary Channels The Eight Extraordinary Channels encompass a wide range of qualities and functions. Traditional and non-traditional theories and functions are presented in this book, including theory, pathways, traditional functions, and psycho-emotional conditions. The history of the Eight Extraordinary Channels is very interesting. In the Su Wen and Ling Shu, there are no pathway descriptions or points for the Wei channels. Their information was introduced at a later time. Most of the psycho-emotional, spiritual, and alchemical influences come from traditions not part of the common literature in the Chinese medical community. It is believed that the Eight Extraordinary Channels confluent (opening) points were revealed by Dou Hanqing, in 1196 ad. He presented no theory to support their selection, and for this reason some practitioners do not use these points. They would always use the points on the Eight Extraordinary Channels pathways (trajectories), and might include the confluent points. Before Dou Hanqing the confluent points were not part of any known Chinese medical texts or traditions. The legendary Xu Feng worked with the Eight Extraordinary Channels and made their applications popular in the Ming dynasty. Xu Feng did not always use the confluent points. He emphasized pathway points. Feng presented the common coupled pairs listed in Table 4.1, which have become the standard method of treatment. He did not always use those pairs. He used combinations that fit the diagnosis and treatment plan. 41
42 EIGHT EXTRAORDINARY CHANNELS Table 4.1 Xu Feng s Eight Extraordinary Channel pairs Paired channels Opening point Regions affected when paired (traditional viewpoint) Ren Yin Qiao Du Yang Qiao Chong Yin Wei Dai Yang Wei Lung 7 Kidney 6 Small Intestine 3 Bladder 62 Spleen 4 Pericardium 6 Gallbladder 41 San Jiao 5 Abdomen, chest, lungs, throat, face Back of legs, back, spine, neck, head, eyes, brain Inner leg, abdomen, chest, heart, stomach Outer leg, sides of body, shoulders, sides of neck Alternate names for confluent points are the command, opening, and master points. Four of the opening points are luo points: Lung 7, Spleen 4, Pericardium 6, and San Jiao 5. Two of the opening points are stream points: Small Intestine 3 and Gallbladder 41. Two of the opening points are at the beginning of their channel: Kidney 6 and Bladder 62. One pair is Tai Yang: Small Intestine 3 and Bladder 62. One pair is Shao Yang: Gallbladder 41 and San Jiao 5. One pair is Tai Yin: Lung 7 and Spleen 4. One pair can be considered Shao Yin: Kidney 6 and Pericardium 6.
INTRODUCTION TO THE EIGHT EXTRAORDINARY CHANNELS 43 Fundamental qualities of the Eight Extraordinary Channels 1. The Eight Extraordinary Channels regulate and influence cycles of seven and eight years from the Su Wen, or ten-year cycles from the Ling Shu, Chapter 54, The Allotted Year of a Man s Life. 2. They store, distribute, and regulate vital substances (especially Jing and source qi) throughout the entire body. 3. They control the functions of the 12 primary channels. 4. They are closely related to the Kidneys, Gallbladder, and the Extraordinary Fu organs (Curious organs). 5. The Ren and Du channels have their own points. The other six channels borrow points from the 12 primary channels. The Kidneys and Gallbladder have the most Eight Extraordinary Channels points on their pathways. 6. The Eight Extraordinary Channels have no organs of their own. There is a strong link between the Curious organs and the Eight Extraordinary Channels. The Gallbladder is a link between the Curious organs, primary channels, and the Eight Extraordinary Channels. 7. Only the Ren and Du channels have connecting points. 8. Jiu Wei, Dove Tail, Ren 15, is the source point of the five Yin organs. 9. Each channel has a confluent point, which is also called the master, command, or opening point. They were revealed around 1196 ad, and popularized in the Ming dynasty. Classic acupuncture does not have these points. 10. Confluent points can be viewed as points that stimulate the Eight Extraordinary Channels pathways. Select points on the pathway to complete the stimulation of the channel. The pathway points send a clear message to the body that it is an Eight Extraordinary Channels treatment. Otherwise, how does the body know it is an Eight
44 EIGHT EXTRAORDINARY CHANNELS Extraordinary Channels treatment, not a primary or a luo channel treatment (four confluent points are luo points)? Selecting points on the Eight Extraordinary Channels pathway directly probes and stimulates the channel s energetic properties. It is a key to an Eight Extraordinary Channels treatment. 11. Each channel has a common coupled paired channel, which is a creation in the Ming dynasty. Many practitioners combine paired points and channels based on diagnosis, not a fixed pairing. The channels can be paired in any way that fits the diagnosis. 12. The Wei and Qiao channels have cleft points. The Chong, Ren, Du, and Dai channels do not have cleft points. That implies that the Wei and Qiao channels are ways to clear stagnations or excesses. View these cleft points as ways to probe and stimulate flows throughout the channel. They are not just for pain. The Yang Wei has two cleft points: Bladder 63 is the Bladder cleft, and Gallbladder 35 is the cleft of the Yang Qiao. 13. The Nei Jing language primarily uses physical terminology when describing pathology. A unique insight of Chinese culture is that the body emotions spirit is an inseparable whole. It is for the practitioner to convert physical pathology and conditions to their corresponding emotional, psychological, and spiritual qualities. This book begins the process of revealing some of these relationships.